Giants vs Cubs Preview: Big pitching duel fuels Week 63 showdown

The Giants are hungry. They crushed the Cubs 18-3 on June 5th in an absolute explosion of power. Then the Cubs bounced back 3-2 in ten innings on June 6th. Now San Francisco sits at 26-39 while Chicago stands at 34-31. The Giants need to prove they can keep winning. Their record on the road stays spotless as they battle tonight. This is chance number three to show they belong in this series against the Cubs.

The Cubs are sending out Jameson Taillon, a veteran pitcher who knows how to compete at the highest level. Taillon played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees before joining Chicago. This Canadian-American right-hander brings experience and grit to every start. He's struck out about 3 batters this season and carries a 1.43 WHIP. The Giants will face a pitcher who has seen it all. San Francisco's lineup must be ready to attack early.

San Francisco counters with Trevor McDonald on the mound. The Giants need him to pitch deep into the game and keep the Cubs' bats quiet. Chicago's lineup showed they can explode at Wrigley with Kyle Crow-Armstrong smashing two home runs in the June 6th thriller. McDonald must locate his fastball and trust his stuff. The Cubs sit 20-14 at home, so they feel confident in their ballpark. This matchup will decide whether San Francisco's hot bat can continue or if Chicago's pitching shuts the door.